CA2317100A1 - Surface cleaning vehicle with high air efficiency - Google Patents
Surface cleaning vehicle with high air efficiency Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2317100A1 CA2317100A1 CA 2317100 CA2317100A CA2317100A1 CA 2317100 A1 CA2317100 A1 CA 2317100A1 CA 2317100 CA2317100 CA 2317100 CA 2317100 A CA2317100 A CA 2317100A CA 2317100 A1 CA2317100 A1 CA 2317100A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- debris
- cleaning vehicle
- surface cleaning
- chute
- stream
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
- E01H1/00—Removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface
- E01H1/08—Pneumatically dislodging or taking-up undesirable matter or small objects; Drying by heat only or by streams of gas; Cleaning by projecting abrasive particles
- E01H1/0863—Apparatus loosening or removing the dirt by blowing and subsequently dislodging it at least partially by suction ; Combined suction and blowing nozzles
- E01H1/0872—Apparatus loosening or removing the dirt by blowing and subsequently dislodging it at least partially by suction ; Combined suction and blowing nozzles with mechanical loosening or feeding instruments for the dirt to be removed pneumatically, e.g. brushes, scrapers
Abstract
A surface cleaning vehicle comprises an air blast outlet or a rotating sweeping broom for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned. A
debris chute has a rearwardly facing inlet positioned to receive the forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto and that is connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet. An airflow is effected in the interior passage of the debris chute from the inlet to the outlet, thereby augmenting travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the interior passage of the debris chute toward the outlet and into a hopper. Alternatively, a surface cleaning and debris loading apparatus additionally comprises an open-bottom pick-up head defining an interior, and having an outlet disposed at the front of the hood for receiving a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of a debris chute in fluid communication with the interior, and for permitting the egress of debris from the hood, through the outlet and to the substantially rearwardly facing inlet of the debris chute. Also alternatively, a deflector flap is disposed forwardly of the air blast outlet or a rotating sweeping broom in debris deflecting relation to the inlet of the debris chute, to deflect the forwardly propelled stream of debris beyond the deflector flap upwardly and forwardly into an upwardly and forwardly disposed portion of the debris chute.
debris chute has a rearwardly facing inlet positioned to receive the forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto and that is connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet. An airflow is effected in the interior passage of the debris chute from the inlet to the outlet, thereby augmenting travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the interior passage of the debris chute toward the outlet and into a hopper. Alternatively, a surface cleaning and debris loading apparatus additionally comprises an open-bottom pick-up head defining an interior, and having an outlet disposed at the front of the hood for receiving a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of a debris chute in fluid communication with the interior, and for permitting the egress of debris from the hood, through the outlet and to the substantially rearwardly facing inlet of the debris chute. Also alternatively, a deflector flap is disposed forwardly of the air blast outlet or a rotating sweeping broom in debris deflecting relation to the inlet of the debris chute, to deflect the forwardly propelled stream of debris beyond the deflector flap upwardly and forwardly into an upwardly and forwardly disposed portion of the debris chute.
Description
ANA A
TITLE: SURFACE CLEANING VEHICLE WITH HIGH AIR EFFICIENCY
INVENTOR: ROGER VANDERLINDEN
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to surface cleaning vehicles, and more particularly to vacuum type surface cleaning vehicles and recirculating air type surface cleaning vehicles.
OF THE INVENTION
1O The removal of dirt and debris from streets, parking lots, airport runways, factory floors, and other similar paved surfaces, through the use of various types of street cleaning vehicles or factory cleaning vehicles, as may be the case, has been known for many years. For the sake of brevity, clarity and simplicity, such 1'_-~ vehicles will be generally referred to in this document as surface cleaning vehicles . It is common to use a vacuum air type system or a recirculating air type system to remove dirt and debris from depressions, to thoroughly clean a paved surface, and to capture and contain fine particulate matter, such as dust. However, known vacuum air type systems and recirculating air type systems have serious drawbacks associated with them, as will be discussed subsequently.
Vacuum air type systems typically employ a pair of opposed ''~ gutter brooms disposed one broom toward each of the left and right sides of the vehicle in spaced apart relation across the width of the vehicle or an angled windrow sweeping broom disposed across the width of the vehicle to sweep dirt and debris into a narrow corridor. A vertically disposed vacuum hose is securely connected at its open top end in fluid communication with a debris receiving ':~ hopper. The air flow in the vacuum hose is generated by a high capacity fan mounted on the opposite side of the hopper and exhausted to the ambient surroundings . The vacuum hose is securely connected at its open bottom end to the top of the pick-up head, so as to be in fluid communication with the pick-up head through an i~.; opening in the top of the pick-up head. The downwardly facing open bottom end of the vacuum chute is disposed a few inches from the surface being cleaned in parallel relation thereto, and essentially passes over the dirt and debris swept to the narrow corridor.
1~~ Air in the pick-up head is drawn over the dirt and debris to the open bottom end of the vacuum chute, whereat it abruptly changes direction, to suddenly ascend at at high rate of speed into the open bottom end of the vacuum chute. The high rate of ascension of this air into the vacuum chute is the sole means to %:~.~ effect lifting of the otherwise substantially stationary dirt and debris, which is extremely inefficient. Further, the open end of the vacuum chute must be disposed at an elevation higher than the size of most debris, which elevation is too high for the vacuum hose to be highly effective in picking up dirt and debris, except at undesirably slow travel speeds. Accordingly, surface cleaning vehicles employing vacuum air type systems typically are only effective in certain situations, such as to pick up light debris or small amounts of fine debris.
In a recirculating air type system, a full width one-piece pick-up head, typically about five to seven feet in width and having a flexible peripheral skirt, is driven over the surface to be cleaned, with the skirt in continuous contact with the surface.
A powerful stream of substantially clean air -- or in other words air that is substantially free of debris and dust, as will be l'~~ discussed in greater detail subsequently -- is generated by a high capacity fan and is fed back into the one-piece pick-up head through a large diameter supply hose. The bottom end of the supply hose is attached to an inlet disposed at one end of the one-piece pick-up head, and terminates a few inches from the surface being i~~ cleaned in facing relation thereto. Turning vanes, typically comprising a set of curved plates, redirect the air blown into the inlet of the one-piece pick-up head through a forwardly facing full width air blast slot substantially towards the opposite other side of the pick-up head so as to blast dirt and debris from the surface being cleaned and direct it to the opposite other end of the pick-up head. The dirt and debris reaching the other end of the one-piece pick-up head impact against the other end of the pick-up head and are then abruptly drawn upwardly into a large diameter suction hose, by means of the same high capacity fan. A significant amount ~'= of dirt and debris are deposited into a hopper. Dust laden air is drawn from the hopper through a centrifugal separator that removes virtually all of the remaining dust from the air stream. The centrifugally cleaned air is fed back into the one-piece pick-up head, as discussed above.
As is well known in the industry, the air flow used to blast the dirt and debris from a surface being cleaned and subsequently lift the dirt and debris into the hopper is generated solely by a single fan. Further, the generated air flow changes direction significantly many times. Accordingly, recirculating air type street sweepers tend to be inefficient in heavy debris, and must be operated at significantly slower travel speeds than mechanical street sweepers, which is highly undesirable. Further, they tend to experience excessive wear due to the number of severe directional changes of the debris laden air flow. Also, since 1.:~ recirculating air type systems are inefficient and therefore must use a very high capacity fan, they tend to be unacceptably noisy.
Additionally, such recirculating air type systems have a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom disposed within the :r_:'~' pick-up head. The sweeping broom sweeps dirt and debris forwardly, so as to forcefully impact against the front wall of the pick-up head, thus stopping the debris from travelling forwardly, thereby losing any forward momentum of the debris. Accordingly, a significant amount of energy is expended by means of the rotating "~ sweeping the broom moving the dirt and debris at a higher rate of speed a few inches only, which is a very wasteful.
TITLE: SURFACE CLEANING VEHICLE WITH HIGH AIR EFFICIENCY
INVENTOR: ROGER VANDERLINDEN
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to surface cleaning vehicles, and more particularly to vacuum type surface cleaning vehicles and recirculating air type surface cleaning vehicles.
OF THE INVENTION
1O The removal of dirt and debris from streets, parking lots, airport runways, factory floors, and other similar paved surfaces, through the use of various types of street cleaning vehicles or factory cleaning vehicles, as may be the case, has been known for many years. For the sake of brevity, clarity and simplicity, such 1'_-~ vehicles will be generally referred to in this document as surface cleaning vehicles . It is common to use a vacuum air type system or a recirculating air type system to remove dirt and debris from depressions, to thoroughly clean a paved surface, and to capture and contain fine particulate matter, such as dust. However, known vacuum air type systems and recirculating air type systems have serious drawbacks associated with them, as will be discussed subsequently.
Vacuum air type systems typically employ a pair of opposed ''~ gutter brooms disposed one broom toward each of the left and right sides of the vehicle in spaced apart relation across the width of the vehicle or an angled windrow sweeping broom disposed across the width of the vehicle to sweep dirt and debris into a narrow corridor. A vertically disposed vacuum hose is securely connected at its open top end in fluid communication with a debris receiving ':~ hopper. The air flow in the vacuum hose is generated by a high capacity fan mounted on the opposite side of the hopper and exhausted to the ambient surroundings . The vacuum hose is securely connected at its open bottom end to the top of the pick-up head, so as to be in fluid communication with the pick-up head through an i~.; opening in the top of the pick-up head. The downwardly facing open bottom end of the vacuum chute is disposed a few inches from the surface being cleaned in parallel relation thereto, and essentially passes over the dirt and debris swept to the narrow corridor.
1~~ Air in the pick-up head is drawn over the dirt and debris to the open bottom end of the vacuum chute, whereat it abruptly changes direction, to suddenly ascend at at high rate of speed into the open bottom end of the vacuum chute. The high rate of ascension of this air into the vacuum chute is the sole means to %:~.~ effect lifting of the otherwise substantially stationary dirt and debris, which is extremely inefficient. Further, the open end of the vacuum chute must be disposed at an elevation higher than the size of most debris, which elevation is too high for the vacuum hose to be highly effective in picking up dirt and debris, except at undesirably slow travel speeds. Accordingly, surface cleaning vehicles employing vacuum air type systems typically are only effective in certain situations, such as to pick up light debris or small amounts of fine debris.
In a recirculating air type system, a full width one-piece pick-up head, typically about five to seven feet in width and having a flexible peripheral skirt, is driven over the surface to be cleaned, with the skirt in continuous contact with the surface.
A powerful stream of substantially clean air -- or in other words air that is substantially free of debris and dust, as will be l'~~ discussed in greater detail subsequently -- is generated by a high capacity fan and is fed back into the one-piece pick-up head through a large diameter supply hose. The bottom end of the supply hose is attached to an inlet disposed at one end of the one-piece pick-up head, and terminates a few inches from the surface being i~~ cleaned in facing relation thereto. Turning vanes, typically comprising a set of curved plates, redirect the air blown into the inlet of the one-piece pick-up head through a forwardly facing full width air blast slot substantially towards the opposite other side of the pick-up head so as to blast dirt and debris from the surface being cleaned and direct it to the opposite other end of the pick-up head. The dirt and debris reaching the other end of the one-piece pick-up head impact against the other end of the pick-up head and are then abruptly drawn upwardly into a large diameter suction hose, by means of the same high capacity fan. A significant amount ~'= of dirt and debris are deposited into a hopper. Dust laden air is drawn from the hopper through a centrifugal separator that removes virtually all of the remaining dust from the air stream. The centrifugally cleaned air is fed back into the one-piece pick-up head, as discussed above.
As is well known in the industry, the air flow used to blast the dirt and debris from a surface being cleaned and subsequently lift the dirt and debris into the hopper is generated solely by a single fan. Further, the generated air flow changes direction significantly many times. Accordingly, recirculating air type street sweepers tend to be inefficient in heavy debris, and must be operated at significantly slower travel speeds than mechanical street sweepers, which is highly undesirable. Further, they tend to experience excessive wear due to the number of severe directional changes of the debris laden air flow. Also, since 1.:~ recirculating air type systems are inefficient and therefore must use a very high capacity fan, they tend to be unacceptably noisy.
Additionally, such recirculating air type systems have a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom disposed within the :r_:'~' pick-up head. The sweeping broom sweeps dirt and debris forwardly, so as to forcefully impact against the front wall of the pick-up head, thus stopping the debris from travelling forwardly, thereby losing any forward momentum of the debris. Accordingly, a significant amount of energy is expended by means of the rotating "~ sweeping the broom moving the dirt and debris at a higher rate of speed a few inches only, which is a very wasteful.
Also, due to the suddenness of the directional changes, prior art recirculating type systems tend experience extreme and premature wear of the various components that are impacted by the dust and debris laden stream of air. It is well known that the ongoing cost of replacing debris-worn parts on recirculating type systems is prohibitively expensive.
One known prior art sweeper has a small rotating broom i':; disposed within a pick-up head disposed at the rear of the vehicle.
Three large diameter air input hoses enter the pick-up head through the top and are in fluid communication with an air blast nozzle in the interior of the pick-up head. The air blast nozzle provides a forceful stream of air that blows onto the ground, whereat the 1~-; stream of air impacts the ground and changes direction abruptly to travel forwardly and pass through the rotating sweeping broom. The forwardly travelling stream of debris impacts the front wall of the pick-up head. The air is then abruptly suctioned upwardly by two large suction hoses in fluid communication with the interior of the pick-up head through the top of the pick-up head. The significant and abrupt changes in direction of the air stream result in extremely inefficient use of air, which is evidenced by the fact that a very powerful two hundred horsepower engine is required to power the sweeper, yet this sweeper has difficulty travelling %~~ quickly when required to remove significant amounts of debris from a surface.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a recirculating air type system, wherein the air flow into and in the pick-up head is precluded from making sudden and abrupt changes in direction.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a recirculating air type system, wherein the open bottom end of the vacuum hose is not downwardly facing.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a recirculating air type system, wherein the open bottom end of the 1~ vacuum hose receives debris directly thereinto from the sweeping broom.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle that employs a recirculating air type system, %!.- wherein the pick-up head is not required to be in substantially sealed relation with the surface being cleaned.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a recirculating air type system that requires significantly less airflow than do prior art vacuum air type or recirculating air type systems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle that employs a recirculating air type system that has significantly fewer wear problems than do prior art recirculating air type systems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface lc; cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a recirculating air type system, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can travel forwardly at an acceptable speed during removal of significant amounts of debris from a surface.
1~
S~J~1ARY OF TBE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a novel surface cleaning vehicle defining a medial %'~' longitudinal axis and having a debris retaining hopper. The surface cleaning vehicle comprises a debris propulsion means of width "WD" for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned. A debris chute has a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "Wi" and height "Hi" that is positioned and oriented to receive the forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto and that is connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet. An airflow effecting means is provided to effect a flow of air in the interior passage of the debris chute from the inlet to the outlet, thereby augmenting travel of the forwardly ': propelled stream of debris along the interior passage of the debris chute toward the outlet and into the hopper.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a novel surface cleaning and debris loading 1':- apparatus for use in a surface cleaning vehicle. The surface cleaning and debris loading apparatus comprises an open-bottom hood means defining a front end, a back end, and an interior, and an outlet disposed at the front end of the hood means for permitting the egress of debris from the hood means. A debris propulsion ~5 means of width "WD" is provided for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned disposed directly under the hood means. A debris chute has a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "Wi" and height "Hi" that is positioned and oriented at the outlet of the hood ' means to receive the forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto and that is connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet. An airflow effecting means is provided to effect a flow of air in the interior passage of the debris chute from the inlet to the outlet, thereby augmenting travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the interior passage of the debris chute toward the outlet and into the hopper.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a novel surface cleaning vehicle defining a medial longitudinal axis and having a debris retaining hopper. The surface cleaning vehicle comprises debris propulsion means of width "WD" for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned. A
-1"-~ debris chute has a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "Wi" and height "Hi" connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet. A deflector flap means is disposed forwardly of the debris propulsion means and in debris deflecting relation to the inlet of the debris chute, to deflect J5 the forwardly propelled stream of debris beyond the deflector flap means upwardly and forwardly through the inlet and into an upwardly and forwardly disposed portion of the debris chute. An airflow effecting means effects a flow of air in the interior passage of the debris chute from the inlet to the outlet, thereby augmenting =: travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the interior passage of the debris chute toward the outlet and into the hopper.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a novel pick-up head for use in a surface cleaning vehicle. The pick-up head comprises a top panel, a left side panel and a right side panel, together defining an interior. An outlet is disposed at the front end of the pick-up head for receiving a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of a debris chute in fluid communication with the interior, and for :-. permitting the egress of debris from the pick-up head through the outlet and to the substantially rearwardly facing inlet of the debris chute.
Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present 1'u invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the 1~~ latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TSE DRAWINGS
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently '.'~ preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a first preferred embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning vehicle removed for the sake of clarity;
1 ~:~ Figure lA is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure l, with the air blast outlet aimed immediately behind the contacted portion of the surface being cleaned;
?'.:~ Figure 1B is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure l, with the air blast outlet aimed at the contacted portion of the surface being cleaned;
~~_i Figure 2 is a sectional top plan view of a portion of the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure l, taken along section line 2 - 2;
Figure 3 is a back end elevational view of a portion of the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure 1, showing air blast chute, with the open bottom pick-up head shown in cross-section;
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a first alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning vehicle removed for the sake of clarity;
Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a second alternative J_!~3 embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning vehicle removed for the sake of clarity;
Figure 6 is a top plan view similar to Figure 2, but of a l~- portion of a third alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention;
Figure 7 is a top plan view similar to Figure 2, but of a portion of a fourth alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning 0 vehicle according to the present invention;
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a fifth alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning :~1 vehicle removed for the sake of clarity; and, Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a sixth alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning vehicle removed for the sake of clarity; and, Figure 10 is a side elevational view of a seventh alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, specifically a factory type surface cleaning vehicle, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning vehicle removed ia:? for the sake of clarity.
DLTAII~ED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED E1~ODI~NT
1~ Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 3, which show a preferred embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20.
The surface cleaning vehicle 20 has a front end 21 and a back end 22 and a medical longitudinal axis "L" extending between said front .''C and back ends 21,22. A debris retaining hopper 25 is mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 immediately behind the cab 27.
Two counter-rotating brushes 23 (only one shown) are mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 to brush debris from a surface 24 being cleaned, such as a road surface, and to brush debris away from curbs and the like. In any event, the debris is brushed inwardly toward the medial longitudinal axis "L" . The two counter-rotating brushes 23 are means to urge debris on a surface being cleaned to a narrowed path of aggregate width "Wa".
In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, a debris propulsion means of width "WD" comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30 of width "WB" is mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 rearwardly of the rear wheels 29 via mounting arms and suitable bearings (not shown) so as to be disposed i~~ transversely across the medial longitudinal axis "L" for selective rotation about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation "H".
The cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30 is disposed in road tracking relation, or in other words, to have a surface contacting segment 30s, that engages in sweeping relation a i~~ contacted portion 24c of the surface 24 being cleaned. The rotating sweeping broom 30 thereby effects a forwardly propelled stream of debris from the contacted portion 24c of the surface 24 being cleaned. The contacted portion 24c is defined by a leading edge 241, a trailing edge 24t, a left side edge 241s, and a right :%0 side edge 24rs.
Also in the preferred embodiment as illustrated, the debris propulsion means comprises a horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 having a width "Wo" and a height "Ho" mounted on the surface <:::=, cleaning vehicle 20, so as to be disposed rearwardly of the rear wheels 29 of the surface cleaning vehicle 20, and disposed immediately rearwardly of the surface contacting segment 30s of the rotating sweeping broom 30, and therefore be disposed immediately rearwardly of the contact portion 24c of the surface 24 being cleaned. As can be best seen in Figure 3, the width "Wo" is significantly greater than the height "Ho" of said horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50. Also, the width "Wo" of the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 is substantially coincident with the width "WB" of the rotating sweeping broom 30.
As is best seen in Figure l, the air blast outlet 50 is connected iv- in fluid communication with the air egress 54 of the high capacity fan 52 via a flexible pipe 56, so as to receive air therefrom, and is positioned and oriented to effect a blast of air that engages, and in the preferred embodiment as illustrated, forcefully impinges the surface 24 being cleaned in a substantially forward direction, 1.~~ thereby propelling forwardly therewith debris disposed on the surface 24, thus creating a forwardly propelled stream of debris.
A debris chute 38 has a horizontally elongate substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of width "Wi" and height "Hi" connected ''0 in fluid communication via an interior passage 38p with an elevated outlet 38e. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the debris chute 38 is forwardly ascending, but may also be oriented to ascend sidewardly or rearwardly, or may ascend forwardly initially and then turn rearwardly, as desired.
The debris chute 38 is mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 to be disposed rearwardly of the hopper 25 and forwardly of the sweeping broom 30, and is also disposed laterally across the longitudinal axis "L", preferably across most of the width of the ': street sweeping vehicle 20, and such that the horizontally elongate substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i is substantially rearward facing and is disposed rearwardly of the rear wheels 29, immediately forwardly of the rotating sweeping broom 30 and transversely across said medial longitudinal axis "L" . In this i!:s manner, the debris chute 38 is mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 to receive directly into its substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i the forwardly propelled stream of debris propelled forwardly by the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 and the rotating sweeping broom 30. Further, the debris chute 38 is 15 mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 such that the elevated outlet 38e is disposed in debris depositing relation to the hopper 25. Debris that is ejected out of the elevated outlet 38e of the debris chute 38 is deflected oft the baffle 26 in the hopper 25 and subsequently falls into the hopper 25.
;; r;
An airflow effecting means comprises a high capacity fan 52 and its air ingress 53 that is connected in fluid communication to the elevated outlet 38e of the debris chute 38 through the interior of the hopper 25. The high capacity fan 52 draws air in through the air ingress 53, from the hopper 25, and thereby effects a flow of air in the interior passage 38p of the debris chute 38 from the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i to the elevated outlet 38e. The flow of air in the interior passageway 38p augments the travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the interior passage 38p of the debris chute 38 toward the elevated outlet 38e, and subsequently into the hopper 25.
A deflector flap means comprising a deflector flap 35 is secured to the bottom end 37 of the debris chute 38 so as to be disposed forwardly of and substantially parallel to the debris l.:? chute 38 and the rotating sweeping broom 30, and also immediately rearwardly of the horizontally elongate substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. The deflector flap 35 receives at least a portion of the forwardly propelled stream of debris, and deflects the received portion of the forwardly to propelled stream of debris upwardly and forwardly into the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38.
The deflector flap 35 also substantially precludes the forwardly propelled stream of debris from passing forwardly under the debris chute 38. As can be best seen in Figure 2, opposed left and right drag shoes 431,43r are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis "L" and laterally border the sweeping broom 30 at its lateral ends and also laterally border the ends of the debris chute 38.
The surface cleaning vehicle 20 further comprises an open-bottom hood means in the form of a pick-up head 40 mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20. The pick-up head 40 includes a top panel 40t, a left side panel 401, a right side panel 40r, a back panel 40b that together define a front end 39f, a back end 39b, and an interior 41 that is generally divided from the ambient surroundings. The hood means 40 encloses within.its interior 41, the air blast outlet 50 and the rotating sweeping broom 30.
An outlet 42 is disposed at the front end 41f of the pick-up head 40 for receiving the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38 in fluid communication with the interior 41 of the pick-up head 40. The outlet 42 also permits the egress of debris, namely the forwardly propelled stream of debris, from the pick-up head 40 through the outlet 42, to the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. It can be seen 1-5 that the forwardly propelled stream of debris remains travelling in a forward direction after egressing the outlet 42 and entering the inlet 38i of the debris chute 38, although deflected upwardly very slightly. In this manner, the forward momentum of the forwardly propelled stream of debris is substantially maintained.
,_.. Accordingly, there are no losses of kinetic energy due to the sudden complete change in direction of travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris as there is in all prior art vacuum or recirculating air type systems.
As can be best seen in Figure 2, the width "Wi" of the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38 is significantly less than the width "Wo" of the debris propulsion means, namely the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 and the cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30. In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, the width "Wi" of the inlet 38i of the debris chute is about one-half the width "Wo" of the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 and the cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30. Further, there is at least one debris stream deflector 70, and in the preferred embodiment as illustrated, two debris stream deflectors 70 disposed in opposed relation one to the 1~~~ other at opposite sides of the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50. Each debris stream deflector 70 is disposed to face inwardly and rearwardly so as to deflect a laterally exterior portion of the forwardly propelled stream of debris toward the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38.
l There is also a means to urge debris on the surface 24 being cleaned to a narrowed path of aggregate width "Wa', comprising a surface debris deflector 72 disposed directly forwardly of each one of the two debris stream deflectors 70. Accordingly, in the %'~ preferred embodiment as illustrated, there are two surface debris deflectors 72 disposed in opposed relation one to the other at opposite sides of the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. Each surface debris deflector 72 is disposed to face inwardly and forwardly so as to be positioned and oriented to inwardly deflect debris disposed on a lateral portion of the surface 24 corresponding to the aforesaid laterally exterior portion of forwardly propelled stream of debris thereby leaving the aforesaid narrowed path of aggregate width "Wa" . Also, as can best be seen in the drawings, the width "WD' of the debris propulsion means, namely the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 and the '_~ cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30, is greater than the aggregate width "Wa" of the narrowed path. Further, the aggregate width "Wa" is substantially equal to or less than the width "Wi' of the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38.
It is contemplated that the means to urge debris on the surface 24 being cleaned to a narrowed path, could create two narrowed paths having an aggregate width "Wa".
A pair of opposed skid shoes 80 are mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20. Each skid shoe includes one debris stream deflector 70 and one surface debris deflector 72. The debris stream deflector 70 and the surface debris deflector 72 on each skid shoe form a solid block, for ease and simplicity of manufacturing.
The horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 is positioned immediately rearwardly o blast outlet 50 is positioned and oriented such that the air blast impinges off a portion of the surface 24 immediately behind the contacted portion 24c of the surface 24, 2 ~ which is contacted by the surface contacting segment 30s of the rotating sweeping broom 30. As is shown in Figure 1B, the air blast outlet 50 is positioned and oriented such that the air blast impinges off the contacted portion 24c of the surface 24, which is contacted by the surface contacting segment 30s of the rotating sweeping broom 30.
r In any event, the blast of air thereby propels forwardly therewith fine debris disposed on th.e surface 24, and continues to flow forwardly and to carry forwardly through the rotating sweeping broom 30 and egresses therefrom, thereby propelling forwardly 1~.~ therewith debris disposed on said surface being cleaned, thus creating a forwardly propelled stream of debris. It can be seen that the cleaning of the surface takes place in the pick-up head 40.
15 In use, the surface cleaning vehicle 20 travels forwardly and debris passes under the drag flap 35 and under the debris chute 38.
The debris is then swept forwardly by the rotating sweeping broom 30 and then blown forwardly by the air blast outlet 50 into the inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. Any fine particle debris, or in ~0 other words dust, that is missed by the rotating sweeping broom 30 is blown forwardly by the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50, as is best seen in Figures 1 through 3. The blast of air impinges off a portion of the surface 24 being cleaned immediately behind the sweeping broom 30, and carries through the sweeping %:'~ broom 30, thereby propelling debris disposed on the surface 24 being cleaned forwardly into the forwardly propelled stream of debris, thus augmenting the cleaning of the surface 24. A
laterally exterior portion on each side of the forwardly propelled stream of debris is deflected by the two debris stream deflectors 70 towards the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. Also, the two surface debris deflectors 72 disposed to face inwardly and forwardly so as to be positioned and oriented to inwardly deflect debris disposed on a lateral portion of the aforesaid laterally exterior portion of forwardly propelled stream of debris, such that the deflected debris on the surface 24 1'u will be longitudinally aligned with the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38.
The horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 receives air from the main fan 52 through the flexible pipe 56, as indicated by arrow "C" in Figure 1. The main fan 52, in turn, draws air from the hopper 25 as indicated by arrow "D" in Figure 1, and up the debris chute 38. In this manner, the main fan 52 draws air and debris along the interior passage 38p of the debris chute 38, to augment travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris within ') the debris chute 38 toward the elevated outlet 38e, and into the hopper 25.
Reference will now be made to Figure 4, which shows a first %~ alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 100 according to the present invention, having an airflow effecting means comprising a first fan 102 and a second fan 103. The first fan 102 has an air ingress 104 connected in fluid communication with the debris chute 106 so as to receive air having passed through the hopper 114, after entering the hopper 114 directly from the elevated outlet 106e and an air egress 108 exhausted to the ambient atmosphere through exhaust pipe 110, as indicated by arrow "F". Both the first fan 102 and the exhaust pipe 110 are disposed within the interior 112 of the hopper 114. The second fan 103 has an air ingress 105 that receives air directly from the ambient i0 atmosphere and an air egress 107 connected in fluid communication with the air blast outlet 109 flexible pipe 111 so as to force air directly through the flexible pipe 111 and the air blast outlet 109, as indicated by arrows "F", and out the air blast outlet 109, as indicated by arrow "G" .
:u '~
Reference will now be made to Figure 5, which shows a second alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 120 according to the present invention, having an debris chute 122 and an air blast outlet 124. However, there is no cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom, as in the preferred embodiment. The air blast emitted from the air blast outlet 124 is the only means used to forcefully impinge the surface 126 being cleaned, in a substantially forward direction, thereby propelling forwardly therewith debris disposed on the surface 126, thus creating a forwardly propelled stream of debris, as indicated by arrow "H", d~r~cted to the inlet 123 of the debris chute 122. Air suction from the main fan 123 helps to draw air and debris along the interior passage 128 of the debris chute 122 and into the hopper 129.
'~~ Reference will now be made to Figure 6, which shows a third alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 130 according to the present invention, having a hood means 132. Two debris stream deflectors 134 and two surface debris deflectors 136 each comprise a pliable flap member and are operatively mounted on 1U the hood means 132.
Reference will now be made to Figure 7, which shows a fourth alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 140 according to the present invention. The fourth alternative 15 embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 140 is similar to the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 20, except that each surface debris deflector comprises a broom 142 positioned and oriented to inwardly deflect debris disposed on a lateral portion of the surface 144 corresponding to the aforesaid laterally exterior 0 portion of forwardly propelled stream of debris thereby leaving a reduced width debris trail of width substantially equal to or less than the width "Wi" of the inlet 146 of the debris chute 148.
Reference will now be made to Figure 8, which shows a fifth ~:5 alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 150 according to the present invention. The fifth alternative embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 150 is similar to the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 20, except that the cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 152 creates a forwardly propelled stream of debris from debris on the surface 154 being cleaned by itself. The horizontally elongate air blast outlet 156 is positioned and oriented to effect a blast of air that passes through the cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom below the horizontal axis of rotation "H", thereby augmenting the forwardly propelled stream of debris, but not forcefully impinge l~;? the surface 154.
Reference will now be made to Figure 9, which shows a sixth alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 160 according to the present invention. The sixth alternative 15 embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 160 comprises an debris chute 162 integrally formed with a hood means 164. The debris chute 162 is removably abutted in sealed relation against the hopper 166 at ingress 168 by means of rubber sealing strips 170. Similarly, the flexible pipe 172 that supplies the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 174 is removably abutted in sealed relation against the hopper 166 at egress 176 by means of rubber sealing strips 178.
Accordingly, the debris chute 162, the hood means 164, the flexible pipe 172 and the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 174 are readily removable and replaceable for purposes of ease of ?5 maintenance.
" , CA 02317100 2000-08-10 Reference will now be made to Figure 10, which shows a seventh alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 170 according to the present invention. The seventh alternative embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 170 is similar to the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 20, except that it is specifically a factory type surface cleaning vehicle that collects debris in a forwardly disposed debris hopper. The debris propulsion means comprises a cylindrically shaped rotating sweeping broom 172 disposed immediately below the hopper 171 for effecting ia~ a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion 173 of a surface 174 being cleaned. A debris chute 175 is mounted forwardly of the hopper 171, and in the embodiment as illustrated, defines the front of the hopper 171. The debris chute 175 has a substantially rearwardly facing inlet 176 positioned and oriented to receive the forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto, as can be clearly seen in Figure 10. The substantially rearwardly facing inlet 176 is connected in fluid communication via an interior passage 177 with an elevated outlet 178 that faces into the hopper 171. An airflow effecting means comprising a fan 179 effects a flow of air in the interior passage 177 of the debris chute 175 from the inlet 176 to the outlet 178, as indicated by arrow "I", thereby augmenting the travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the interior passage 177 of the debris chute 175 toward the outlet 178, and into the hopper 171. A deflector plate 180 directs the debris downwardly into the hopper 171, as indicated by arrow "J". Air is suctioned from the hopper 171 by the fan 179, as indicated by arrow "K", through a filter 181, as indicated by arrow "L", and is exhausted into the ambient surroundings by the fan 179, as indicated by arrow "M", as clean air having dust substantially separated therefrom.
a As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the surface cleaning vehicle of the present invention utilizes a vacuum or recirculating air type system that fully cleans debris from a surface, wherein the air flow and the 1:~ initial propulsion of the debris are both in a substantially forward direction. The pick-up head has an outlet disposed in its front end and a debris chute having a rearwardly facing inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the hood, thus allowing the forwardly propelled stream of debris to continue travelling substantially forwardly into the debris chute, and preferably even through the debris chute, to the debris retaining hopper. Thus, the debris and the air substantially maintain their forward momentum after being removed from a surface by the debris propulsion means. Accordingly, such a system is efficient in its .~'0 use of air, and therefore is more powerful yet also more quiet than prior art systems. Further, the premature wear that plagues prior art systems is not experienced with the present invention. The present invention also provides means to clean from behind the rotating sweeping broom small particulate matter and also debris 2. ~~ that has been loosened by the rotating sweeping broom, and also provides such means without the use of water for dust suppression.
Surfaces having heavy debris or debris stuck thereon can be fully cleaned without leaving dust, which is unknown in the prior art.
The present invention also provided a recirculating air type surface cleaning vehicle that does not need to have reduced air '_:, pressure in the pick-up head in order to preclude the escape of dust.
Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such 1 ~n variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
1 ~;
One known prior art sweeper has a small rotating broom i':; disposed within a pick-up head disposed at the rear of the vehicle.
Three large diameter air input hoses enter the pick-up head through the top and are in fluid communication with an air blast nozzle in the interior of the pick-up head. The air blast nozzle provides a forceful stream of air that blows onto the ground, whereat the 1~-; stream of air impacts the ground and changes direction abruptly to travel forwardly and pass through the rotating sweeping broom. The forwardly travelling stream of debris impacts the front wall of the pick-up head. The air is then abruptly suctioned upwardly by two large suction hoses in fluid communication with the interior of the pick-up head through the top of the pick-up head. The significant and abrupt changes in direction of the air stream result in extremely inefficient use of air, which is evidenced by the fact that a very powerful two hundred horsepower engine is required to power the sweeper, yet this sweeper has difficulty travelling %~~ quickly when required to remove significant amounts of debris from a surface.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a recirculating air type system, wherein the air flow into and in the pick-up head is precluded from making sudden and abrupt changes in direction.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a recirculating air type system, wherein the open bottom end of the vacuum hose is not downwardly facing.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a recirculating air type system, wherein the open bottom end of the 1~ vacuum hose receives debris directly thereinto from the sweeping broom.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle that employs a recirculating air type system, %!.- wherein the pick-up head is not required to be in substantially sealed relation with the surface being cleaned.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a recirculating air type system that requires significantly less airflow than do prior art vacuum air type or recirculating air type systems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning vehicle that employs a recirculating air type system that has significantly fewer wear problems than do prior art recirculating air type systems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface lc; cleaning vehicle that employs a vacuum air type system or a recirculating air type system, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can travel forwardly at an acceptable speed during removal of significant amounts of debris from a surface.
1~
S~J~1ARY OF TBE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a novel surface cleaning vehicle defining a medial %'~' longitudinal axis and having a debris retaining hopper. The surface cleaning vehicle comprises a debris propulsion means of width "WD" for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned. A debris chute has a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "Wi" and height "Hi" that is positioned and oriented to receive the forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto and that is connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet. An airflow effecting means is provided to effect a flow of air in the interior passage of the debris chute from the inlet to the outlet, thereby augmenting travel of the forwardly ': propelled stream of debris along the interior passage of the debris chute toward the outlet and into the hopper.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a novel surface cleaning and debris loading 1':- apparatus for use in a surface cleaning vehicle. The surface cleaning and debris loading apparatus comprises an open-bottom hood means defining a front end, a back end, and an interior, and an outlet disposed at the front end of the hood means for permitting the egress of debris from the hood means. A debris propulsion ~5 means of width "WD" is provided for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned disposed directly under the hood means. A debris chute has a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "Wi" and height "Hi" that is positioned and oriented at the outlet of the hood ' means to receive the forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto and that is connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet. An airflow effecting means is provided to effect a flow of air in the interior passage of the debris chute from the inlet to the outlet, thereby augmenting travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the interior passage of the debris chute toward the outlet and into the hopper.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a novel surface cleaning vehicle defining a medial longitudinal axis and having a debris retaining hopper. The surface cleaning vehicle comprises debris propulsion means of width "WD" for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned. A
-1"-~ debris chute has a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "Wi" and height "Hi" connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet. A deflector flap means is disposed forwardly of the debris propulsion means and in debris deflecting relation to the inlet of the debris chute, to deflect J5 the forwardly propelled stream of debris beyond the deflector flap means upwardly and forwardly through the inlet and into an upwardly and forwardly disposed portion of the debris chute. An airflow effecting means effects a flow of air in the interior passage of the debris chute from the inlet to the outlet, thereby augmenting =: travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the interior passage of the debris chute toward the outlet and into the hopper.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a novel pick-up head for use in a surface cleaning vehicle. The pick-up head comprises a top panel, a left side panel and a right side panel, together defining an interior. An outlet is disposed at the front end of the pick-up head for receiving a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of a debris chute in fluid communication with the interior, and for :-. permitting the egress of debris from the pick-up head through the outlet and to the substantially rearwardly facing inlet of the debris chute.
Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present 1'u invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the 1~~ latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TSE DRAWINGS
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently '.'~ preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a first preferred embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning vehicle removed for the sake of clarity;
1 ~:~ Figure lA is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure l, with the air blast outlet aimed immediately behind the contacted portion of the surface being cleaned;
?'.:~ Figure 1B is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure l, with the air blast outlet aimed at the contacted portion of the surface being cleaned;
~~_i Figure 2 is a sectional top plan view of a portion of the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure l, taken along section line 2 - 2;
Figure 3 is a back end elevational view of a portion of the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle of Figure 1, showing air blast chute, with the open bottom pick-up head shown in cross-section;
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a first alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning vehicle removed for the sake of clarity;
Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a second alternative J_!~3 embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning vehicle removed for the sake of clarity;
Figure 6 is a top plan view similar to Figure 2, but of a l~- portion of a third alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention;
Figure 7 is a top plan view similar to Figure 2, but of a portion of a fourth alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning 0 vehicle according to the present invention;
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a fifth alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning :~1 vehicle removed for the sake of clarity; and, Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a sixth alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning vehicle removed for the sake of clarity; and, Figure 10 is a side elevational view of a seventh alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, specifically a factory type surface cleaning vehicle, with a portion of the side of the surface cleaning vehicle removed ia:? for the sake of clarity.
DLTAII~ED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED E1~ODI~NT
1~ Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 3, which show a preferred embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20.
The surface cleaning vehicle 20 has a front end 21 and a back end 22 and a medical longitudinal axis "L" extending between said front .''C and back ends 21,22. A debris retaining hopper 25 is mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 immediately behind the cab 27.
Two counter-rotating brushes 23 (only one shown) are mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 to brush debris from a surface 24 being cleaned, such as a road surface, and to brush debris away from curbs and the like. In any event, the debris is brushed inwardly toward the medial longitudinal axis "L" . The two counter-rotating brushes 23 are means to urge debris on a surface being cleaned to a narrowed path of aggregate width "Wa".
In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, a debris propulsion means of width "WD" comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30 of width "WB" is mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 rearwardly of the rear wheels 29 via mounting arms and suitable bearings (not shown) so as to be disposed i~~ transversely across the medial longitudinal axis "L" for selective rotation about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation "H".
The cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30 is disposed in road tracking relation, or in other words, to have a surface contacting segment 30s, that engages in sweeping relation a i~~ contacted portion 24c of the surface 24 being cleaned. The rotating sweeping broom 30 thereby effects a forwardly propelled stream of debris from the contacted portion 24c of the surface 24 being cleaned. The contacted portion 24c is defined by a leading edge 241, a trailing edge 24t, a left side edge 241s, and a right :%0 side edge 24rs.
Also in the preferred embodiment as illustrated, the debris propulsion means comprises a horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 having a width "Wo" and a height "Ho" mounted on the surface <:::=, cleaning vehicle 20, so as to be disposed rearwardly of the rear wheels 29 of the surface cleaning vehicle 20, and disposed immediately rearwardly of the surface contacting segment 30s of the rotating sweeping broom 30, and therefore be disposed immediately rearwardly of the contact portion 24c of the surface 24 being cleaned. As can be best seen in Figure 3, the width "Wo" is significantly greater than the height "Ho" of said horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50. Also, the width "Wo" of the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 is substantially coincident with the width "WB" of the rotating sweeping broom 30.
As is best seen in Figure l, the air blast outlet 50 is connected iv- in fluid communication with the air egress 54 of the high capacity fan 52 via a flexible pipe 56, so as to receive air therefrom, and is positioned and oriented to effect a blast of air that engages, and in the preferred embodiment as illustrated, forcefully impinges the surface 24 being cleaned in a substantially forward direction, 1.~~ thereby propelling forwardly therewith debris disposed on the surface 24, thus creating a forwardly propelled stream of debris.
A debris chute 38 has a horizontally elongate substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of width "Wi" and height "Hi" connected ''0 in fluid communication via an interior passage 38p with an elevated outlet 38e. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the debris chute 38 is forwardly ascending, but may also be oriented to ascend sidewardly or rearwardly, or may ascend forwardly initially and then turn rearwardly, as desired.
The debris chute 38 is mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 to be disposed rearwardly of the hopper 25 and forwardly of the sweeping broom 30, and is also disposed laterally across the longitudinal axis "L", preferably across most of the width of the ': street sweeping vehicle 20, and such that the horizontally elongate substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i is substantially rearward facing and is disposed rearwardly of the rear wheels 29, immediately forwardly of the rotating sweeping broom 30 and transversely across said medial longitudinal axis "L" . In this i!:s manner, the debris chute 38 is mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 to receive directly into its substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i the forwardly propelled stream of debris propelled forwardly by the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 and the rotating sweeping broom 30. Further, the debris chute 38 is 15 mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20 such that the elevated outlet 38e is disposed in debris depositing relation to the hopper 25. Debris that is ejected out of the elevated outlet 38e of the debris chute 38 is deflected oft the baffle 26 in the hopper 25 and subsequently falls into the hopper 25.
;; r;
An airflow effecting means comprises a high capacity fan 52 and its air ingress 53 that is connected in fluid communication to the elevated outlet 38e of the debris chute 38 through the interior of the hopper 25. The high capacity fan 52 draws air in through the air ingress 53, from the hopper 25, and thereby effects a flow of air in the interior passage 38p of the debris chute 38 from the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i to the elevated outlet 38e. The flow of air in the interior passageway 38p augments the travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the interior passage 38p of the debris chute 38 toward the elevated outlet 38e, and subsequently into the hopper 25.
A deflector flap means comprising a deflector flap 35 is secured to the bottom end 37 of the debris chute 38 so as to be disposed forwardly of and substantially parallel to the debris l.:? chute 38 and the rotating sweeping broom 30, and also immediately rearwardly of the horizontally elongate substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. The deflector flap 35 receives at least a portion of the forwardly propelled stream of debris, and deflects the received portion of the forwardly to propelled stream of debris upwardly and forwardly into the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38.
The deflector flap 35 also substantially precludes the forwardly propelled stream of debris from passing forwardly under the debris chute 38. As can be best seen in Figure 2, opposed left and right drag shoes 431,43r are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis "L" and laterally border the sweeping broom 30 at its lateral ends and also laterally border the ends of the debris chute 38.
The surface cleaning vehicle 20 further comprises an open-bottom hood means in the form of a pick-up head 40 mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20. The pick-up head 40 includes a top panel 40t, a left side panel 401, a right side panel 40r, a back panel 40b that together define a front end 39f, a back end 39b, and an interior 41 that is generally divided from the ambient surroundings. The hood means 40 encloses within.its interior 41, the air blast outlet 50 and the rotating sweeping broom 30.
An outlet 42 is disposed at the front end 41f of the pick-up head 40 for receiving the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38 in fluid communication with the interior 41 of the pick-up head 40. The outlet 42 also permits the egress of debris, namely the forwardly propelled stream of debris, from the pick-up head 40 through the outlet 42, to the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. It can be seen 1-5 that the forwardly propelled stream of debris remains travelling in a forward direction after egressing the outlet 42 and entering the inlet 38i of the debris chute 38, although deflected upwardly very slightly. In this manner, the forward momentum of the forwardly propelled stream of debris is substantially maintained.
,_.. Accordingly, there are no losses of kinetic energy due to the sudden complete change in direction of travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris as there is in all prior art vacuum or recirculating air type systems.
As can be best seen in Figure 2, the width "Wi" of the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38 is significantly less than the width "Wo" of the debris propulsion means, namely the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 and the cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30. In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, the width "Wi" of the inlet 38i of the debris chute is about one-half the width "Wo" of the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 and the cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30. Further, there is at least one debris stream deflector 70, and in the preferred embodiment as illustrated, two debris stream deflectors 70 disposed in opposed relation one to the 1~~~ other at opposite sides of the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50. Each debris stream deflector 70 is disposed to face inwardly and rearwardly so as to deflect a laterally exterior portion of the forwardly propelled stream of debris toward the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38.
l There is also a means to urge debris on the surface 24 being cleaned to a narrowed path of aggregate width "Wa', comprising a surface debris deflector 72 disposed directly forwardly of each one of the two debris stream deflectors 70. Accordingly, in the %'~ preferred embodiment as illustrated, there are two surface debris deflectors 72 disposed in opposed relation one to the other at opposite sides of the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. Each surface debris deflector 72 is disposed to face inwardly and forwardly so as to be positioned and oriented to inwardly deflect debris disposed on a lateral portion of the surface 24 corresponding to the aforesaid laterally exterior portion of forwardly propelled stream of debris thereby leaving the aforesaid narrowed path of aggregate width "Wa" . Also, as can best be seen in the drawings, the width "WD' of the debris propulsion means, namely the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 and the '_~ cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 30, is greater than the aggregate width "Wa" of the narrowed path. Further, the aggregate width "Wa" is substantially equal to or less than the width "Wi' of the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38.
It is contemplated that the means to urge debris on the surface 24 being cleaned to a narrowed path, could create two narrowed paths having an aggregate width "Wa".
A pair of opposed skid shoes 80 are mounted on the surface cleaning vehicle 20. Each skid shoe includes one debris stream deflector 70 and one surface debris deflector 72. The debris stream deflector 70 and the surface debris deflector 72 on each skid shoe form a solid block, for ease and simplicity of manufacturing.
The horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 is positioned immediately rearwardly o blast outlet 50 is positioned and oriented such that the air blast impinges off a portion of the surface 24 immediately behind the contacted portion 24c of the surface 24, 2 ~ which is contacted by the surface contacting segment 30s of the rotating sweeping broom 30. As is shown in Figure 1B, the air blast outlet 50 is positioned and oriented such that the air blast impinges off the contacted portion 24c of the surface 24, which is contacted by the surface contacting segment 30s of the rotating sweeping broom 30.
r In any event, the blast of air thereby propels forwardly therewith fine debris disposed on th.e surface 24, and continues to flow forwardly and to carry forwardly through the rotating sweeping broom 30 and egresses therefrom, thereby propelling forwardly 1~.~ therewith debris disposed on said surface being cleaned, thus creating a forwardly propelled stream of debris. It can be seen that the cleaning of the surface takes place in the pick-up head 40.
15 In use, the surface cleaning vehicle 20 travels forwardly and debris passes under the drag flap 35 and under the debris chute 38.
The debris is then swept forwardly by the rotating sweeping broom 30 and then blown forwardly by the air blast outlet 50 into the inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. Any fine particle debris, or in ~0 other words dust, that is missed by the rotating sweeping broom 30 is blown forwardly by the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50, as is best seen in Figures 1 through 3. The blast of air impinges off a portion of the surface 24 being cleaned immediately behind the sweeping broom 30, and carries through the sweeping %:'~ broom 30, thereby propelling debris disposed on the surface 24 being cleaned forwardly into the forwardly propelled stream of debris, thus augmenting the cleaning of the surface 24. A
laterally exterior portion on each side of the forwardly propelled stream of debris is deflected by the two debris stream deflectors 70 towards the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38. Also, the two surface debris deflectors 72 disposed to face inwardly and forwardly so as to be positioned and oriented to inwardly deflect debris disposed on a lateral portion of the aforesaid laterally exterior portion of forwardly propelled stream of debris, such that the deflected debris on the surface 24 1'u will be longitudinally aligned with the substantially rearwardly facing inlet 38i of the debris chute 38.
The horizontally elongate air blast outlet 50 receives air from the main fan 52 through the flexible pipe 56, as indicated by arrow "C" in Figure 1. The main fan 52, in turn, draws air from the hopper 25 as indicated by arrow "D" in Figure 1, and up the debris chute 38. In this manner, the main fan 52 draws air and debris along the interior passage 38p of the debris chute 38, to augment travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris within ') the debris chute 38 toward the elevated outlet 38e, and into the hopper 25.
Reference will now be made to Figure 4, which shows a first %~ alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 100 according to the present invention, having an airflow effecting means comprising a first fan 102 and a second fan 103. The first fan 102 has an air ingress 104 connected in fluid communication with the debris chute 106 so as to receive air having passed through the hopper 114, after entering the hopper 114 directly from the elevated outlet 106e and an air egress 108 exhausted to the ambient atmosphere through exhaust pipe 110, as indicated by arrow "F". Both the first fan 102 and the exhaust pipe 110 are disposed within the interior 112 of the hopper 114. The second fan 103 has an air ingress 105 that receives air directly from the ambient i0 atmosphere and an air egress 107 connected in fluid communication with the air blast outlet 109 flexible pipe 111 so as to force air directly through the flexible pipe 111 and the air blast outlet 109, as indicated by arrows "F", and out the air blast outlet 109, as indicated by arrow "G" .
:u '~
Reference will now be made to Figure 5, which shows a second alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 120 according to the present invention, having an debris chute 122 and an air blast outlet 124. However, there is no cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom, as in the preferred embodiment. The air blast emitted from the air blast outlet 124 is the only means used to forcefully impinge the surface 126 being cleaned, in a substantially forward direction, thereby propelling forwardly therewith debris disposed on the surface 126, thus creating a forwardly propelled stream of debris, as indicated by arrow "H", d~r~cted to the inlet 123 of the debris chute 122. Air suction from the main fan 123 helps to draw air and debris along the interior passage 128 of the debris chute 122 and into the hopper 129.
'~~ Reference will now be made to Figure 6, which shows a third alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 130 according to the present invention, having a hood means 132. Two debris stream deflectors 134 and two surface debris deflectors 136 each comprise a pliable flap member and are operatively mounted on 1U the hood means 132.
Reference will now be made to Figure 7, which shows a fourth alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 140 according to the present invention. The fourth alternative 15 embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 140 is similar to the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 20, except that each surface debris deflector comprises a broom 142 positioned and oriented to inwardly deflect debris disposed on a lateral portion of the surface 144 corresponding to the aforesaid laterally exterior 0 portion of forwardly propelled stream of debris thereby leaving a reduced width debris trail of width substantially equal to or less than the width "Wi" of the inlet 146 of the debris chute 148.
Reference will now be made to Figure 8, which shows a fifth ~:5 alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 150 according to the present invention. The fifth alternative embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 150 is similar to the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 20, except that the cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom 152 creates a forwardly propelled stream of debris from debris on the surface 154 being cleaned by itself. The horizontally elongate air blast outlet 156 is positioned and oriented to effect a blast of air that passes through the cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom below the horizontal axis of rotation "H", thereby augmenting the forwardly propelled stream of debris, but not forcefully impinge l~;? the surface 154.
Reference will now be made to Figure 9, which shows a sixth alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 160 according to the present invention. The sixth alternative 15 embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 160 comprises an debris chute 162 integrally formed with a hood means 164. The debris chute 162 is removably abutted in sealed relation against the hopper 166 at ingress 168 by means of rubber sealing strips 170. Similarly, the flexible pipe 172 that supplies the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 174 is removably abutted in sealed relation against the hopper 166 at egress 176 by means of rubber sealing strips 178.
Accordingly, the debris chute 162, the hood means 164, the flexible pipe 172 and the horizontally elongate air blast outlet 174 are readily removable and replaceable for purposes of ease of ?5 maintenance.
" , CA 02317100 2000-08-10 Reference will now be made to Figure 10, which shows a seventh alternative embodiment of the surface cleaning vehicle 170 according to the present invention. The seventh alternative embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 170 is similar to the preferred embodiment surface cleaning vehicle 20, except that it is specifically a factory type surface cleaning vehicle that collects debris in a forwardly disposed debris hopper. The debris propulsion means comprises a cylindrically shaped rotating sweeping broom 172 disposed immediately below the hopper 171 for effecting ia~ a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion 173 of a surface 174 being cleaned. A debris chute 175 is mounted forwardly of the hopper 171, and in the embodiment as illustrated, defines the front of the hopper 171. The debris chute 175 has a substantially rearwardly facing inlet 176 positioned and oriented to receive the forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto, as can be clearly seen in Figure 10. The substantially rearwardly facing inlet 176 is connected in fluid communication via an interior passage 177 with an elevated outlet 178 that faces into the hopper 171. An airflow effecting means comprising a fan 179 effects a flow of air in the interior passage 177 of the debris chute 175 from the inlet 176 to the outlet 178, as indicated by arrow "I", thereby augmenting the travel of the forwardly propelled stream of debris along the interior passage 177 of the debris chute 175 toward the outlet 178, and into the hopper 171. A deflector plate 180 directs the debris downwardly into the hopper 171, as indicated by arrow "J". Air is suctioned from the hopper 171 by the fan 179, as indicated by arrow "K", through a filter 181, as indicated by arrow "L", and is exhausted into the ambient surroundings by the fan 179, as indicated by arrow "M", as clean air having dust substantially separated therefrom.
a As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the surface cleaning vehicle of the present invention utilizes a vacuum or recirculating air type system that fully cleans debris from a surface, wherein the air flow and the 1:~ initial propulsion of the debris are both in a substantially forward direction. The pick-up head has an outlet disposed in its front end and a debris chute having a rearwardly facing inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the hood, thus allowing the forwardly propelled stream of debris to continue travelling substantially forwardly into the debris chute, and preferably even through the debris chute, to the debris retaining hopper. Thus, the debris and the air substantially maintain their forward momentum after being removed from a surface by the debris propulsion means. Accordingly, such a system is efficient in its .~'0 use of air, and therefore is more powerful yet also more quiet than prior art systems. Further, the premature wear that plagues prior art systems is not experienced with the present invention. The present invention also provides means to clean from behind the rotating sweeping broom small particulate matter and also debris 2. ~~ that has been loosened by the rotating sweeping broom, and also provides such means without the use of water for dust suppression.
Surfaces having heavy debris or debris stuck thereon can be fully cleaned without leaving dust, which is unknown in the prior art.
The present invention also provided a recirculating air type surface cleaning vehicle that does not need to have reduced air '_:, pressure in the pick-up head in order to preclude the escape of dust.
Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such 1 ~n variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
1 ~;
Claims (52)
1. A surface cleaning vehicle defining a medial longitudinal axis and having a debris retaining hopper, said surface cleaning vehicle comprising:
debris propulsion means of width "W D" for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned;
a debris chute having a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "W i" and height "H i" positioned and oriented to receive said forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto and connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet; and, airflow effecting means to effect a flow of air in said interior passage of said debris chute from said inlet to said outlet, thereby augmenting travel of said forwardly propelled stream of debris along said interior passage of said debris chute toward said outlet and into said hopper.
debris propulsion means of width "W D" for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned;
a debris chute having a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "W i" and height "H i" positioned and oriented to receive said forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto and connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet; and, airflow effecting means to effect a flow of air in said interior passage of said debris chute from said inlet to said outlet, thereby augmenting travel of said forwardly propelled stream of debris along said interior passage of said debris chute toward said outlet and into said hopper.
2. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an open-bottom hood means defining an interior, and an outlet disposed at the front end of said hood means for permitting the egress of said forwardly propelled stream of debris from said hood means.
3. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 2, wherein said width "W i" of said inlet is significantly less than the width "W D" of said debris propulsion means, and further comprising at least one debris stream deflector, each debris stream deflector being disposed to face inwardly and rearwardly so as to deflect a laterally exterior portion of said forwardly propelled stream of debris toward said inlet of said debris chute.
4. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 3, further comprising means to urge debris on a surface being cleaned to a narrowed path of aggregate width "W a".
5. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 4, wherein said means to urge debris comprises a surface debris deflector disposed directly forwardly of each said debris stream deflector, each surface debris deflector being disposed to face inwardly and forwardly so as to be positioned and oriented to inwardly deflect debris disposed on a lateral portion of said surface corresponding to said laterally exterior portion of said forwardly propelled stream of debris.
6. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 5, wherein said surface debris deflectors create a narrowed path, as aforesaid, of width substantially equal to or less than said width "W i" of said inlet of said debris chute.
7. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 6, comprising two debris stream deflectors disposed in opposed relation one to the other at opposite sides of said debris propulsion means, and two surface debris deflectors disposed in opposed relation one to the other at opposite sides of said inlet of said debris chute.
8. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 7, wherein said debris stream deflectors and said surface debris deflectors are operatively mounted on said hood means.
9. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 7, further comprising a pair of opposed a skid shoes, and wherein each skid shoe includes one debris stream deflector and one surface debris deflector.
10. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 9, wherein said debris stream deflector and said surface debris deflector on each skid shoe form a solid block.
11. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 7, wherein said debris stream deflectors and said surface debris deflectors each comprise a pliable flap member.
12. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 1, wherein said inlet of said debris chute is disposed transversely across said medial longitudinal axis.
13. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 1, wherein said debris propulsion means is disposed transversely across said medial longitudinal axis.
14. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 1, wherein said debris propulsion means comprises a horizontally elongate air blast outlet connected in fluid communication with a high capacity fan to receive air therefrom, and positioned and oriented to effect a blast of air that forcefully impinges said surface in a substantially forward direction, thereby propelling forwardly therewith debris disposed on said surface being cleaned, as aforesaid, and into said chute.
15. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 1, wherein said debris propulsion means comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom mounted on said vehicle for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation.
16. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 1, wherein said debris chute is ascendingly sloped.
17. A surface cleaning and debris loading apparatus for use in a surface cleaning vehicle, said surface cleaning and debris loading apparatus comprising:
an open-bottom hood means defining an interior, and an outlet disposed at the front end of said hood means for permitting the egress of debris from said hood means;
debris propulsion means of width "W D" for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned disposed directly under said hood means;
a debris chute having a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "W i" and height "H i" positioned and oriented at said outlet of said hood means to receive said forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto and connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet; and, airflow effecting means to effect a flow of air in said interior passage of said debris chute from said inlet to said outlet, thereby augmenting travel of said forwardly propelled stream of debris along said interior passage of said debris chute toward said outlet and into said hopper.
an open-bottom hood means defining an interior, and an outlet disposed at the front end of said hood means for permitting the egress of debris from said hood means;
debris propulsion means of width "W D" for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned disposed directly under said hood means;
a debris chute having a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "W i" and height "H i" positioned and oriented at said outlet of said hood means to receive said forwardly propelled stream of debris thereinto and connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet; and, airflow effecting means to effect a flow of air in said interior passage of said debris chute from said inlet to said outlet, thereby augmenting travel of said forwardly propelled stream of debris along said interior passage of said debris chute toward said outlet and into said hopper.
18. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 17, wherein said debris chute is connected at said substantially rearwardly facing inlet in substantially sealed relation to said hood means.
19. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 18, wherein said width "W i" of said inlet is significantly less than the width "W D" of said debris propulsion means, and further comprising at least one debris stream deflector, each debris stream deflector being disposed to face inwardly and rearwardly so as to deflect a laterally exterior portion of said forwardly propelled stream of debris toward said inlet of said debris chute.
20. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 19, further comprising means to urge debris on a surface being cleaned to a narrowed path of aggregate width "W a"
21. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 20, wherein said means to urge debris comprises a surface debris deflector disposed directly forwardly of each said debris stream deflector, each surface debris deflector being disposed to face inwardly and forwardly so as to be positioned and oriented to inwardly deflect debris disposed on a lateral portion of said surface corresponding to said laterally exterior portion of said forwardly propelled stream of debris.
22. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 21, wherein said surface debris deflectors create a narrowed path, as aforesaid, of width substantially equal to or less than said width "W i" of said inlet of said debris chute.
23. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 22, comprising two debris stream deflectors disposed in opposed relation one to the other at opposite sides of said debris propulsion means, and two surface debris deflectors disposed in opposed relation one to the other at opposite sides of said inlet of said debris chute.
24. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 23, wherein said debris stream deflectors and said surface debris deflectors are operatively mounted on said hood means.
25. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 23, further comprising a pair of opposed a skid shoes, and wherein each skid shoe includes one debris stream deflector and one surface debris deflector.
26. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 25, wherein said debris stream deflector and said surface debris deflector on each skid shoe form a solid block.
27. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 23, wherein said debris stream deflectors and said surface debris deflectors each comprise a pliable flap member.
28. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 17, wherein said inlet of said debris chute is disposed transversely across said medial longitudinal axis.
29. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 17, wherein said debris propulsion means is disposed transversely across said medial longitudinal axis.
30. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 17, wherein said debris propulsion means comprises a horizontally elongate air blast outlet fed by a high capacity fan, and positioned and oriented to effect a blast of air that forcefully impinges said surface in a substantially forward direction, thereby propelling forwardly therewith debris disposed on said surface being cleaned, as aforesaid.
31. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 17, wherein said debris propulsion means comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom mounted on said vehicle for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation.
32. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 17, wherein said debris chute is ascendingly sloped.
33. A surface cleaning vehicle defining a medial longitudinal axis and having a debris retaining hopper, said surface cleaning vehicle comprising:
debris propulsion means of width "W D" for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned;
a debris chute having a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "W i" and height "H i" connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet;
a deflector flap means disposed forwardly of said debris propulsion means and in debris deflecting relation to said inlet of said debris chute, to deflect said forwardly propelled stream of debris beyond said deflector flap means upwardly and forwardly into through said inlet and into an upwardly and forwardly disposed portion of said debris chute; and, airflow effecting means to effect a flow of air in said interior passage of said debris chute from said inlet to said outlet, thereby augmenting travel of said forwardly propelled stream of debris along said interior passage of said debris chute toward said outlet and into said hopper.
debris propulsion means of width "W D" for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned;
a debris chute having a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of width "W i" and height "H i" connected in fluid communication via an interior passage with an elevated outlet;
a deflector flap means disposed forwardly of said debris propulsion means and in debris deflecting relation to said inlet of said debris chute, to deflect said forwardly propelled stream of debris beyond said deflector flap means upwardly and forwardly into through said inlet and into an upwardly and forwardly disposed portion of said debris chute; and, airflow effecting means to effect a flow of air in said interior passage of said debris chute from said inlet to said outlet, thereby augmenting travel of said forwardly propelled stream of debris along said interior passage of said debris chute toward said outlet and into said hopper.
34. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 33, further comprising an open-bottom hood means defining an interior, and an outlet disposed at the front end of said hood means for permitting the egress of said forwardly propelled stream of debris from said hood means.
35. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 34, wherein said width "W i" of said inlet is significantly less than the width "W D" of said debris propulsion means, and further comprising at least one debris stream deflector, each debris stream deflector being disposed to face inwardly and rearwardly so as to deflect a laterally exterior portion of said forwardly propelled stream of debris toward said inlet of said debris chute.
36. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 35, further comprising means to urge debris on a surface being cleaned to a narrowed path of aggregate width "W a".
37. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 36, wherein said means to urge debris comprises a surface debris deflector disposed directly forwardly of each said debris stream deflector, each surface debris deflector being disposed to face inwardly and forwardly so as to be positioned and oriented to inwardly deflect debris disposed on a lateral portion of said surface corresponding to said laterally exterior portion of said forwardly propelled stream of debris.
38. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 37, wherein said surface debris deflectors create a narrowed path, as aforesaid, of width substantially equal to or less than said width "W i" of said inlet of said debris chute.
39. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 38, comprising two debris stream deflectors disposed in opposed relation one to the other at opposite sides of said debris propulsion means, and two surface debris deflectors disposed in opposed relation one to the other at opposite sides of said inlet of said debris chute.
40. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 39, wherein said debris stream deflectors and said surface debris deflectors are operatively mounted on said hood means.
41. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 39, further comprising a pair of opposed a skid shoes, and wherein each skid shoe includes one debris stream deflector and one surface debris deflector.
42. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 41, wherein said debris stream deflector and said surface debris deflector on each skid shoe form a solid block.
43. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 39, wherein said debris stream deflectors and said surface debris deflectors each comprise a pliable flap member.
44. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 33, wherein said inlet of said debris chute is disposed transversely across said medial longitudinal axis.
45. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 33, wherein said debris propulsion means is disposed transversely across said medial longitudinal axis.
46. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 33, wherein said debris propulsion means comprises a horizontally elongate air blast outlet connected in fluid communication with a high capacity fan to receive air therefrom, and positioned and oriented to effect a blast of air that forcefully impinges said surface in a substantially forward direction, thereby propelling forwardly therewith debris disposed on said surface being cleaned, as aforesaid, and into said chute.
47. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 33, wherein said debris propulsion means comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom mounted on said vehicle for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation.
48. The surface cleaning vehicle of claim 33, wherein said debris chute is ascendingly sloped.
49. A pick-up head for use in a surface cleaning vehicle, said pick-up head comprising:
a top panel, a left side panel and a right side panel, together defining a front end, a back end, and an interior; and, an outlet disposed at the front end of said pick-up head for receiving a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of a debris chute in fluid communication with said interior, and for permitting the egress of debris from said pick-up head through said outlet and to said substantially rearwardly facing inlet of said debris chute.
a top panel, a left side panel and a right side panel, together defining a front end, a back end, and an interior; and, an outlet disposed at the front end of said pick-up head for receiving a substantially rearwardly facing inlet of a debris chute in fluid communication with said interior, and for permitting the egress of debris from said pick-up head through said outlet and to said substantially rearwardly facing inlet of said debris chute.
50. The pick-up head of claim 49, further comprising a debris propulsion means of width "W D" operatively mounted on said pick-up head for effecting a forwardly propelled stream of debris from a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned.
51. The pick-up head of claim 50, wherein said debris propulsion means comprises a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom mounted on said pick-up head for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation.
52. The pick-up head of claim 51, wherein said debris propulsion means comprises a horizontally elongate air blast outlet fed by a high capacity fan, and positioned and oriented to effect a blast of air that forcefully impinges said surface in a substantially forward direction, thereby propelling forwardly therewith debris disposed on said surface being cleaned, as aforesaid.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US37087099A | 1999-08-10 | 1999-08-10 | |
| US09/370,870 | 1999-08-10 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2317100A1 true CA2317100A1 (en) | 2001-02-10 |
Family
ID=23461531
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2317100 Abandoned CA2317100A1 (en) | 1999-08-10 | 2000-08-10 | Surface cleaning vehicle with high air efficiency |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2317100A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009039620A1 (en) * | 2007-09-25 | 2009-04-02 | Roger Vanderlinden | Sweeping broom apparatus for use with a vehicle and having a movable air blast nozzle |
| WO2009039624A3 (en) * | 2007-09-26 | 2009-05-22 | Roger Vanderlinden | Pick-up head having a re-circulating air system for a mobile sweeping vehicle |
| WO2010034095A1 (en) * | 2008-09-25 | 2010-04-01 | Roger Vanderlinden | Sweeping broom apparatus for use with a vehicle and having a source of high speed air |
| EP3042997A1 (en) * | 2015-01-08 | 2016-07-13 | Snowek Oy | A vehicle assisted working device, cleaning system and method |
-
2000
- 2000-08-10 CA CA 2317100 patent/CA2317100A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009039620A1 (en) * | 2007-09-25 | 2009-04-02 | Roger Vanderlinden | Sweeping broom apparatus for use with a vehicle and having a movable air blast nozzle |
| WO2009039624A3 (en) * | 2007-09-26 | 2009-05-22 | Roger Vanderlinden | Pick-up head having a re-circulating air system for a mobile sweeping vehicle |
| WO2010034095A1 (en) * | 2008-09-25 | 2010-04-01 | Roger Vanderlinden | Sweeping broom apparatus for use with a vehicle and having a source of high speed air |
| EP3042997A1 (en) * | 2015-01-08 | 2016-07-13 | Snowek Oy | A vehicle assisted working device, cleaning system and method |
| US20160201278A1 (en) * | 2015-01-08 | 2016-07-14 | Snowek Oy | Vehicle assisted working device, cleaning system and method |
| EP3346056A1 (en) * | 2015-01-08 | 2018-07-11 | Snowek Oy | A vehicle assisted working device, cleaning system and method |
| US20180320329A1 (en) * | 2015-01-08 | 2018-11-08 | Snowek Oy | Vehicle assisted cleaning method |
| US20200018026A1 (en) * | 2015-01-08 | 2020-01-16 | Snowek Oy | Vehicle assisted cleaning method |
| US10851504B2 (en) * | 2015-01-08 | 2020-12-01 | Snowek Oy | Vehicle assisted cleaning device and system |
| US10920385B2 (en) * | 2015-01-08 | 2021-02-16 | Snowek Oy | Vehicle assisted cleaning method |
| US20210164180A1 (en) * | 2015-01-08 | 2021-06-03 | Snowek Oy | Vehicle assisted working device, cleaning system and method |
| CN113737696A (en) * | 2015-01-08 | 2021-12-03 | 斯诺威克公司 | Vehicle auxiliary working device, cleaning system and method |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| JP7163365B2 (en) | Road sweeper with multiple cleaning modes | |
| CA1092758A (en) | Sweeper hood with transverse air duct and broom compartments | |
| US6195836B1 (en) | Mechanical surface cleaning vehicle for fine particulate removal | |
| US10851504B2 (en) | Vehicle assisted cleaning device and system | |
| US6195837B1 (en) | Debris suctioning and separating apparatus for use in a surface sweeping vehicle having a mechanical debris elevator | |
| US5951782A (en) | Brushing apparatus and method | |
| US6154922A (en) | Self-propelled factory floor cleaning vehicle | |
| US5852847A (en) | High-speed pick-up head for a street sweeper | |
| US6260293B1 (en) | Device for removing snow and other debris from ground surfaces | |
| GB2312830A (en) | Sweeping machine | |
| GB2138280A (en) | Cleaning apparatus | |
| US5659921A (en) | Sweeper with double side skirts for dust control | |
| WO1995006781A1 (en) | Apparatus and method for renovating playing surfaces | |
| US6122797A (en) | Debris suctioning and separating apparatus for use in a surface cleaning vehicle having a recirculating type debris suctioning system | |
| US9605395B1 (en) | Street sweeper | |
| CA2317100A1 (en) | Surface cleaning vehicle with high air efficiency | |
| KR102267856B1 (en) | Electric road sweeper with brush speed control function | |
| US3675266A (en) | Vacuum type debris collector with scraper blade | |
| CN210288232U (en) | High-efficient road cleaning suction nozzle assembly and cleaning trolley | |
| US7124463B2 (en) | Conveyor lip for motorized street sweeper | |
| CN109914314A (en) | The Clean- component suction nozzle of high efficiency road and cleaning vehicle | |
| CA2317096A1 (en) | Mechanical surface cleaning vehicle for fine particulate removal | |
| US20140338147A1 (en) | Dust suctioning pick-up head apparatus for use with a sweeping vehicle | |
| US20090089963A1 (en) | Pick-up head having at least one main broom therein, for a mobile sweeping vehicle | |
| CA2299657A1 (en) | Mechanical surface cleaning vehicule for fine particulate removal |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |